Straight talk on mortgages from a loan officer who's done it for 10+ years.
You've probably heard some version of this: "conventional loans don't have a minimum credit score anymore." As of late 2025, that's actually true at the agency level, Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter and Freddie Mac's Loan Product Advisor both dropped their long-standing 620 floor for automated approvals. It sounds like great news for anyone with a lower score.
One of the most common questions I get from buyers considering an FHA loan is some version of: "How much extra am I actually paying for mortgage insurance?" It's a fair question — and the honest answer is more than most people realize when they're just looking at the rate.
If you've been told you don't qualify for a mortgage because of your credit score, there's a good chance you were talking to the wrong lender.
One of the most common questions I get from buyers considering an FHA loan is some version of: "How long do I have to pay mortgage insurance?" It's a fair question — and the honest answer is one that catches a lot of buyers off guard.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage feels like a major milestone — and it is. But a pre-approval letter is not a guarantee that your loan will close. Every year, buyers lose homes they were under contract on because their mortgage was denied after pre-approval.
One of the most common questions first-time buyers ask is some version of: "How much money do I actually need?" Not just the down payment — but the full picture. Down payment, closing costs, prepaid items, reserves. All of it.
Coming up with a down payment in Massachusetts is one of the biggest hurdles for first-time buyers. Between rising home prices, closing costs, reserves, and monthly payment concerns, many buyers who could comfortably afford a mortgage still struggle to save enough upfront cash to actually purchase a home.
Buying a home in Massachusetts has become less about whether someone makes “good money” and more about how the entire financial picture fits together.
If you are a first-time homebuyer in Massachusetts and have been struggling to save enough cash to buy a home, this may be one of the better opportunities currently available.
Choosing between FHA and conventional financing is one of the biggest decisions Massachusetts homebuyers make — and in a high-cost market, the choice can materially affect both your affordability and whether you qualify at all.
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